The 2A “small-school” label means very little when it comes to the level of play Mackenzie Benso Mackenzie Benso 5'7" | DS/L/OH North Valley Christian | 2027 State AZ brings to the court. She has established herself as one of the top defensive players in Arizona, regardless of classification. Benso currently sits fourth among seniors and sixth overall in the state with 357 digs, pushing her career total to an impressive 1,200 digs. Her impact goes well beyond that number. Benso has also totaled 40 aces and 38 assists this season, finding multiple ways to contribute and create opportunities for her team.

What really separates Benso, though, is her court presence. She takes up space in the back row—not just physically with her range, but with her voice and leadership. Her communication is consistently above and beyond, helping organize the defense and making sure the players around her know exactly what she sees developing.

Benso is also incredibly loyal in coverage. She works hard behind her hitters, anticipates where blocked and tipped balls are likely to fall, and refuses to give up on a play. That combination of defensive instincts, communication, effort, and consistency is exactly why her production translates far beyond the 2A level. Twelve hundred career digs don’t happen by accident, and Benso continues to show why she belongs among the state’s best defensive players as she closes out her senior season

Mackenzie was just recently named to the PrepDig Dream Team for September and is an easy choice for a top libero for the small schools. She has helped lead North Valley Christian to an undefeated regular season so far and is 5th in 2A with over 301 digs.

Mackenzie does a good job covering space as she has great footwork and explosiveness for a libero. She is able to close gaps and any space that the hitter thinks is open because she has great vision to see what is happening before it does. She has a quiet and balanced platform that allows her easy contact on the ball and deliver it to the target.

On the court she maintains a low and steady base which allows her to pass the hard driven balls with easy. She sees things before they happen and can get to coverage very quickly even after passing a ball. She is never out of the play and the longer the rally goes the better it is for NVCA as it means Mackenzie is getting great touches on the play. She is steady and reliable for NVCA, she is a easy pick to have as a starter and does all the little things very well.

She was one of the top 10 players in the state for September so it was an easy choice to have her as a small school libero all star. She has all the attributes coaches and scouts look for in liberos and we look forward to seeing all those on display as NVCA makes a run to the title.

Although her home is at a small school, she plays incredibly big. Mackenzie is currently ranked #2 in the 2A conference and #7 in Arizona for digs. Her total number this season to date is 244. She’s also keeping her team aggressively attacking out of system, with an impressive 39 assists.

Earlier this month she held one of her best defensive games against Rancho Solano in a 3 sweep match with 22 digs to show. More recently, she contributed in a big way to her team taking 2nd place in the Epic Tourney in the platinum division with 22 digs against PCDS to propel them into the semi finals of the tournament.

We can’t wait to continue to watch this rising star shine.